As architects and designers we are in a privileged position to be designing spaces and buildings that we will often never occupy. It then becomes so important that we ask the people we are designing for “What do you need? What do you want?”.
Join Australian Architect Abigail Lee, as she interviews individuals not in the Architectural profession and interogates their unique needs and wants from the city.
Dear Designer aims to highlight the importance of collaboration in the design professions, and gives a platform to those who rarely have the opportunity to be heard.
High-Density Neighbourhoods & Designing for Children - Research Wrap
Hi, friends!
Abby is an Architect from Australia, currently living in Copenhagen, Denmark. She is passionate about the intersection of humans and the built environment- with particular interest in evidence based design.
Welcome to 'Research Wraps'. They're short and snappy episodes which feature an article, report or the like, and use it as a springboard for a broader conversation about the built environment.
Think of this like your productive brain break for the day- take a minute out of the grind and learn something new.
This episode features the report 'Designing Child-Friendly High Density Neighbourhoods' by the Natalia Krysiak.
Topics covered include children specific requirements in town planning, the importance of safety, case studies of interventions and a discussion about belonging and community.
Read the full publication HERE (https://www.citiesforplay.com/child-friendly-neighbourhoods)
Read more about Cities for Play HERE (https://www.citiesforplay.com/)
Find Abby here: abigaillee.me (abigaillee.me)
And here: LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/abigail-lee-17430b1a5/)
Thanks for listening!
6 May 2026
Loneliness & Designing for Connection - Research Wrap
Hi, friends! Welcome back!
Abby is an Architect from Australia, currently living in Copenhagen, Denmark. She is passionate about the intersection of humans and the built environment- with particular interest in evidence based design.
Welcome to 'Research Wraps'. They're short and snappy episodes which feature an article, report or the like, and use it as a springboard for a broader conversation about the built environment.
Think of this like your productive brain break for the day- take a minute out of the grind and learn something new.
This episode features the report 'Using Design to Connect Us' by the Loneliness Lab. Published in 2020.
Topics covered include loneliness statistics, how the built environment can connect people, and some case studies of design that connects.
Read the full report HERE (https://www.lonelinesslab.org/knowledge-hub/using-design-to-connect-us)
Read more about The Loneliness Lab HERE (https://www.lonelinesslab.org/about-us)
Find Abby here: abigaillee.me (abigaillee.me)
And here: LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com/in/abigail-lee-17430b1a5)
Thanks for listening!
26 Nov 2023
Kelton, on Life as a Commuter Cyclist
Welcome to the first episode of Dear Designer!
This episode starts off with a little introduction to the podcast, its origin story and the season ahead. The guest on this episode is Kelton.
Abby and Kelton talk about his journey to becoming a commuter cyclist, the woes of single file bike lanes, the luxury of a dedicated cycle path, Amsterdam bike storage and more.
At the end, Kelton will read out his short letter to Designers, outlining what he would love to see in our built environment to support his cycling.
Thank you for supporting this podcast and giving a platform to those who are rarely heard!
Want to be a guest on this podcast*?
Visit abigaillee.me/deardesigner (https://abigaillee.me/contact) and fill out the contact form or send an email to hellodeardesigner@gmail.com
I'd love to hear from you!
*The only criteria is that you don't have an architectural degree!
26 Nov 2023
Charlotte, on Student Accommodation & Transitioning to Life in Brisbane.
This episode's guest is Charlotte. Charlotte grew up in Townsville, North Queensland. She moved to Brisbane last year for university and is currently living in South Bank in an apartment building.
Abby and Charlotte talk about her experience of moving from a small town to a comparitively big city. They talk about lonliness, what it’s like living in student accommodation, and all about navigating a new place without a car or a local to help out.
As is tradition in this podcast, at the end Charlotte will read out her short letter to designers, outlining what she would love to see more of in this city to support her settling in and feeling more comfortable in her home.
Want to be a guest on this podcast?*
Visit abigaillee.me/deardesigner (https://abigaillee.me/contact) and fill out the contact form or send an email to hellodeardesigner@gmail.com
I'd love to hear from you!
*The only criteria is that you don't have an architectural degree!
19 Nov 2023
Dear Designer, Trailer
Trailer to introduce Dear Designer with Architectural Graduate, Abigail Lee.
Join me, Abby, as I interview individuals from Brisbane, Australia and beyond, and interrogate their particular needs and wants from the city. I had so much fun recording these episodes. I believe that everyone has unique value to bring to the table and I loved uncovering that value.
The season ahead will include conversations about the realities of living in student housing, how mental ill-health impacts an experience of public space, the benefits and struggles of cycling in Brisbane and more.
Hit the 'Follow' and 'Bell' symbol on the Dear Designer home page to be notified of the first episode drop.
I can't wait to share these conversations with you!
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